redemption

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Golden leaves
Ripened seeds
redeem
what’s lost
in the first frost

Grand kids’ photos
Anticipation for
holiday gathering
redeem
her winter blue

During winter I often suffer from the winter blue.  I looked
around to find some solution without medication and found
some pleasant photos to look at.  Nature photos, especially,
grandkids’ photos are always pleasing.  Who doesn’t? I’ll see
them at the family gathering for Thanks Giving.  🙂

(by Byung A. Fallgren)

dream of…eternal sunbeams

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Clouds of the sins
brood in the twilight
Let them all be absorbed
into the setting sun
be purified as the Earth shifts
rise before the morning sun
as mists of cleansing
upon the impure souls
Sunset glows
as if a precious moment of the day
reminds the forgetful
before bidding a goodnight
We are thankful
for the gift of the day
With the twilight we retire
to our rooms
dream of the morning
in its eternal sunbeams

(by Byung A. Fallgren. Photo by Collin A. Maag.)

Where something’s broken

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The windows used to be clear
as his eyes reflect his wife and son
and the world beyond them
before the devil’s breath swept
away everything, leaving behind
the shattered dreams
Remnant of yesterday’s misfortune
awaits in silence
as he ponders about
what needs to be done
to return to when
everything was in order
in the sunbeams from
the clear window through which
he used to see his dreams
He assures himself
where something’s broken
there is hope

(by Byung A. Fallgren.  Photo by Collin Andrew Maag.)

 

 

 

Threat

It’s neither a hope
nor a solution but a
reckless fury tangled in
confusion of today
Excuse for self-defense
provoked by angry tit-for-tat
can turn into an irrevocable volcano
that takes innocent lives,
wounding the world
Wise answer lies within.

* I spoke over the phone with my sister in South Korea
the other day.  She told me to speak louder because
she couldn’t hear me over the noise outside.  According to her,
South Korea and U.S. military are jointly preparing for war
with North Korea, so constantly the military airplanes fly over
the residential district.
Are we really on the verge of another War?
Is it possible to resolve the problem in peace?

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The historic Changgyeong Palace with downtown Seoul in the background

Looking at the cityscape and the old Palace,
one can see spirit of Tangun, the father of
the country hovers round, apprehensive for
the current situation in the land.  One also
hear him saying, “Listen, my children, this is
homogenous people’s nation; you are all my
children.  Get along!  Then he retreats into
the deep of the ancient palace, praying to
Buddha for the country and world peace.
One is hopeful somehow everything will be fine.

(by Byung A. Fallgren)

starting the day with a ding

i was startled awoken by a strange ding,
eyes wide open, head half asleep
what was that?
The sound hangs in the air like a giant spider,
pulsating in the dark

Stars of e-devices watch in silence
Close eyes to get back to the lost sleep,
curiosity squirming about the ding
as if an echo from a bad day

Low hum of the neighbor’s garage door opening
followed by the sound of car drives away,
the barking dog, beeping trash-pickup truck

Wide awake, open the Inbox to find a love letter
from a young man, politely asking my age
Re:  Old enough to be your mother

Another ding from the iPhone!
The message reads:  “…there’s nothing like finding
perfect app or game.”
Some message at 5:30 a.m.

The dawn meets the morning light
as the Earth sighs, rotating, apprehensive
for the unpredictable human affairs, yet aspirant
So the day starts, a bit different from yesterday,
wintry scent in the air, calm and hopeful.

(by Byung A. Fallgren)